Wemberlee

[propersplitbrainme]

So, we have this new mega-million pound stadium that charges mega bucks for burgers and coke, a lovely big arch to symbolies the old twin towers, and a pitch that cuts up if anyone walks on it in slippers let alone footie boots. Watching Saturdays semi, the ball was leaping and bumping over the ruts and divits like it was on a ploughed field! Didn't get to watch yesterdays game but I'd imagine it was even worse having been carved up once 24 hours earlier.
So how come we can have this centrepiece stadium with a pitch that won't hold together for a 90 minute football match? Surely the grass gets covered when they hold concerts and what have you in there, or does covering the pitch affect it in some way?

And a begrudging well done to Everton and Chelsea DT_Xtremez_14: Lets hope the final makes a decent match if they can iron the wrinkles out of the playing surface.

 

[duffman]

I think the grass is cut and rolled up and stored until the next game. It doesn't get long enough for the grass to bond (?) with soil. That's why it cuts up easily. It has to be taken because they hold thing like the race of champions where tarmac is needed. It looks a poor advert for english football, it's cos the damn thing cost to so much they have to lease it out to all and sundry to bring some of the cost back in.

 

[Tin basher]

Watched a program on BBC 2 some time back. Some smart @rse could proably find it on youtube or similar. It dealt with stadium design. Various nice pretty archecturally (Spelling) sound stadia where examined from a horticulture prospective. Seems that the modern requirement for a good view of the pitch, the wish to stay dry whilst watching, etc does little to help the playing surface. It is not enough to allow sunlight/rain in the air needs to move around in the stadium, even the siting of the entrance and exits for mowing tractors and other drivable kit have an effect on the quality of the surface. One stadium even had the pitch on a giant set of rollers where it was rolled outside the stadium to be subjected to the elements and then rolled back in for matches also meant it was never in the way for rock concerts etc. Perhaps the poor playing surface has more to do with the shape of the place rather than the quality of grass put down.

 

[firestorm]

Great stadium with excellent facilities and holds a great atmosphere too, but the pitch doesn't get enough air and sun.
It empties really quick as well, well the Man U fans had all gone by the time Jags was back on the half way line!

 

[techie_tubby]

I don't understand why they don't just do what they used to do with the old stadium. If a concert is to be played they pur Tarpaulin (Spelling) down with wooden boards on top. This would serve two purposes.

1. Prevent the grass from being churned up, thus not p*ssing off football fans

2. The weight of all the people on the boards would probably help the grass to bind into the soil thus also not p*ssing off football fans

 

[Saint Domingo]

Great stadium with excellent facilities and holds a great atmosphere too, but the pitch doesn't get enough air and sun.
It empties really quick as well, well the Man U fans had all gone by the time Jags was back on the half way line!

Ha ha, too true. The last flight to Dublin/Oslo/Belfast/Brighton etc was leaving shortly after

 

[grumpyoldb]

So the turf is to be replaced before the FA cup final.

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK...elaid_Before_Chelsea_And_Everton_FA_Cup_Final

The pitch at Wembley Stadium is to be dug up and replaced immediately after being criticised by the Arsenal and Manchester United managers.
Sir Alex complained after Manchester Utd lost in a penalty shoot-out

It was originally thought the turf would be re-laid after the FA Cup Final and a series of concerts had been held this summer.
Arsene Wenger branded the surface "a disaster" after the Gunners' FA Cup semi-final with Chelsea on Saturday, and Sir Alex Ferguson called it "dead" in the aftermath of United's penalty shoot-out defeat to Everton 24 hours later.

Stadium officials responded by launching a thorough review of the pitch - and concluded the rye grass surface should be replaced straight away.
The new pitch will be laid before the FA Trophy clash between Stevenage and York on May 9.

So, will this new turf "bond" in just 2 weeks? I can't see it being much of an improvement.

 

[firestorm]

It was cutting up badly on Sunday and the players were losing their footing.
The stadiums answer? Water the pitch! DT_Xtremez_42:

 

[propersplitbrainme]

You getting a ticket for the final Firestorm?

 

[gemarriott]

You getting a ticket for the final Firestorm?

Didn't think you Liverpudlians bothered with ticketsDT_Xtremez_42:

 

[firestorm]

You getting a ticket for the final Firestorm?

With an allocation of 25,109 as opposed to the 32,000 we got for the semi I think there's more chance of Gem getting a round in.

................if anyone has any contacts I'd be very grateful though.DT_Xtremez_30: